Wight Building Materials says that news of the sale of Palmers Farm in Wootton is a ‘disappointment’, but they are confident they can continue to offer materials to the Isle of Wight’s construction industry.
It was in 2022 that plans were first submitted by Wight Building Materials (WBM) to begin gravel extraction operations at Palmers Farm, to the north of Wootton. The plan stalled because of environmental and road safety concerns, in particular concerns about the use of Brocks Copse Road and Alverstone Road for vehicle movements.
In May last year, a planning application was readvertised with revised documents submitted. But local residents continued to raise concerns over the proposed 40 lorry movements a day.
It was said at the time that if mineral extraction at Palmers Farm was not granted permission, WBM only had enough sand and gravel reserves to last for another 2 to 3 years. Presumably that would now be 12-24 months.
Earlier this week there was a major development when it was announced that the James Tuttiett Charitable Trust has purchased Palmers Farm and the King’s Quay area, with the whole 222-acre area to now be known as King’s Quay Nature Reserve.
An instant declaration was made that there will be no gravel extraction taking place under their ownership.
In response, Wight Building Materials has said in a statement:
“We have known about the possible sale of Palmers Farm for a while and, having reviewed our alternative leasehold and freehold mineral deposits in that time, we are confident in our ability to continue to offer the very best services and products to the Island’s construction industry.
Article continues below this advertisement “Having spent several years working on a plan for a new truly sustainable quarry that would have contributed much to the Island’s ability to source its own sand and gravel for many years to come, this news is however clearly a disappointment.
“ We have previously worked very closely with the Hampshire and IW Wildlife Trust on restoration and conservation projects and we wish them all the best in their new venture.”
A spokesperson for Wootton Against Gravel Extraction (WAGE) – the campaign group against the plans – has said:
“Wootton, Whippingham and Arreton Against Gravel Extraction welcome the news that Palmers Farm is to become King’s Quay Nature Reserve.
“We have campaigned long and hard to protect the site, the surrounding area and all the people who would be adversely affected should gravel extraction go ahead.
“While the announcement by the James Tuttiett Charitable Trust appears promising, we are seeking further clarification of certain details. Of course, the planning application itself is still lodged with the Isle of Wight Council and we will not rest until it is either withdrawn or refused”.
Thry would rather put more CO2 into the atmosphere by importing sand and gravel from further away just as they have done with coal. It’s what is known as being green.